Chapter  351

LUMINA   I wanted to argue. Wanted to say that we needed to trust Xenois's judgment, follow orders, stay safe like we'd promised. But I also remembered the video call with Samuel and Silvia. Remembered how they'd used humor and defiance to buy time, to keep their captors off--balance, to give Xenois every possible advantage. They'd been protecting their son in the only way they could from captivity. Maybe it was time we protected our family in the ways only we could. "Riley," Lyn said, turning to address the five--year--old who'd been silent throughout this entire exchange. "Can you see what's happening? Can your precognition show you whether the mission is succeeding?" Riley looked uncertain, his eyes darting to me as if asking permission. I wanted to say no. Wanted to protect him from potentially seeing something terrible. But Lyn was right----we needed information. "It's okay," I said softly. "If you can see something, if your ability is willing to show you, we need to know." Riley